Why is a HERS rating important?

There are a few basic building blocks you need to grasp to get a solid understanding of Energy Efficiency as it relates to homes. H.E.R.S. is one of the critical ones. A HERS rating provides an unbiased measurement of how efficiently a home uses energy. The HERS rating quantifies the energy performance of a home based on a set standard, and therefore provides an easy way to compare the energy efficiency of different homes.

The measurement or HERS Score is calculated by a certified HERS rater using an energy efficiency software package to perform an energy analysis of the home’s design. To be certified, a HERS rater must successfully complete RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) training and abide by RESNET requirements, they do not report to any builder or energy certification program.

A HERS rating of 100 would be the rating for a home built to the current code, but not exceeding code. A HERS rating of 250 would use 2.5 times as much energy as one with a rating of 100. A HERS rating of 50 would use only 50% of the energy of one with a rating of 100.

As more people request this information from Builders and Sellers, the HERS rating will become more important in a home sale. After homeowners discovered a mortgage payment may be affordable, but high utility bills can take the same home and put it beyond their means.

If a HERS rating or Green Building/Retrofit certification is not available for a home you are interested in purchasing make certain you ask for copies of the utility bills before making your offer. This will give you a good estimate what the home will cost you every month.

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Published by GreenFLBroker, Jeannette Moore

Licensed in Real Estate since 1985, Jeannette, Broker/Owner of Green Florida Properties sets herself apart with extensive education in energy-efficient and sustainable building practices. As Northeast Florida's first NAR (National Association of Realtors) Green Real Estate Professional and certified EcoBroker Jeannette pioneered the greening of St. Augustine and St. Johns County MLS. Adding green data fields to the multiple listing service benefits anyone seeking to buy or sell a home with energy-efficient and sustainable features. Jeannette is currently one of four NAR and FR (Florida Realtors) GREEN Instructors in Florida teaching the GREEN Designation course.
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…on the tenth day of Christmas my green friend gave to me…ten wax wraps, nine tubes of caulk, eight cotton socks, seven false roselle, six craft beers, five mutual shares, four smart bulbs, three bags of taters, two quarts of milk and a potted cypress tree!

…on the ninth day of Christmas my green friend gave to me…nine tubes of caulk, eight cotton socks, seven false roselle, six craft beers, five mutual shares, four smart bulbs, three bags of taters, two quarts of milk and a potted cypress tree!